ALL it needed was a vote of confidence for the parallels with '84 to be complete.

And on the eve of Everton's FA Cup banana skin to Stoke, Bill and Phil duly obliged.

We had a struggling team, disaffected fans, mounting speculation about the manager's future - and a team booed off the pitch in its last home match of the year.

The comparisons with Howard Kendall's experience in 1984 were uncanny - especially when the Toffees were handed a third round trip to The Potteries which had "upset" stamped indelibly across it.

The outcome was almost identical, too - a comfortable away win.

But that's where the comparisons sadly stop.

While Sir Philip's declaration of faith in his manager during the 1983 winter of discontent was followed by the rider "I really mean it!" - the 2002 version was lukewarm.

And while only those of unsound mind could have predicted the dramatic turnaround in Everton's fortunes Kendall's Cup win at Stoke presaged, absolutely no-one is expecting a similar upswing this time.

But at least Saturday's 1-0 win ensured the short-term stability which is vital if Everton are to transfer victories to the arena where they really need them . . . the Premiership.

How ironic that their next test in that competition comes from a team managed by a hero of 1984, under pressure of his own following an FA Cup upset on Saturday.

If Peter Reid is under pressure today, Walter Smith is, temporarily at least, off the hook.

The Blues' boss received the strange, but touching support of a delegation of players on Friday, clamouring to put their names to their own vote of confidence.

Smith appreciated, but was uncomfortable with the gesture. What he really wanted was an expression of confidence out on the pitch - and he got it.

Paul Gascoigne produced a big display for the man who has treated him with almost paternal benevolence.

As always, there were one or two tricks too many, but his desire, running and speed of thought were at the heart of a solid Everton display.

The Blues were never seriously threatened by the Second Division leaders, and the only worry came from the now customary failing to transfer superiority into goals.

The reason for that failing is obvious. Everton's only goalscorers are still confined to the Bellefield treatment room.

With Kevin Campbell and Tomasz Radzinski available, the Blues were regular marksmen.

Without them, they are impotent. Duncan Ferguson - hardly prolific when he's flying - is toiling terribly for match-fitness, and Joe-Max Moore is always more effective from the substitutes' bench.

After Ferguson had clipped the base of a post with a volley, Blomqvist had side-footed a daisycutter narrowly wide and Gascoigne's 20-yarder was pushed aside by Cutler, the Blues must have wondered where their next goal was coming from.

The answer was the right boot of Alan Stubbs.

Evertonians have quickly taken the Kirkby kid to their hearts. He's one of their own, after all, and when Ferguson fortuitously won a 52nd minute free-kick in front of the massed bank of travelling Blues, Stubbs stormed forward and demanded responsibility.

He drove the ball low, and when the Stoke wall leaped, anticipating an effort over their heads, it arrowed under them and into the bottom corner.

The home support responded well, but there was precious little from their team as all the openings after that were created by the visitors.

Gazza played a slick one-two with Moore to dash clear into the box. "I'll have to roll back the years for you today gaffer," he had joked before the match. In that instant he looked like he had, but Cutler bravely blocked the shot.

Then Blomqvist, operating as effectively down the right as he has on the left in recent weeks, dashed beyond a final tackle but shot into the side-netting.

Moore hooked a volley over the bar, Weir headed over then Blomqvist was handed an excellent opportunity to make the comparisons with 1984 complete.

He failed, which was apt because this isn't 1984.

Even the fans seemed trapped in a timewarp.

"We're all going to Wembley!" they joyously, but briefly chanted, until they realised that Cardiff is now the venue for the cup final.

Everton 2002 will not suddenly become the most successful team in the club's history - but a cup run can act as a springboard for a Premiership revival.